Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Saul Attempts to Kill Him

◄ David: King of Israel: Saul Attempts to Kill Him ►

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David, the youngest son of Jesse, rose from humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to become one of Israel's most revered kings. His journey to the throne, however, was fraught with danger and divine intervention, particularly during the period when King Saul sought to kill him.

Saul's Jealousy and Initial Attempts

David first entered Saul's service as a musician, playing the harp to soothe the king's troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:23). His victory over Goliath further endeared him to the people and Saul's court, but it also sowed the seeds of jealousy in Saul's heart. As the women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7), Saul became increasingly envious of David's growing popularity and success.

Saul's jealousy turned to murderous intent when "an evil spirit from God came upon Saul" (1 Samuel 18:10). On multiple occasions, Saul attempted to kill David with a spear while David played the harp (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10). Despite these attempts, David managed to evade Saul's attacks, demonstrating both his skill and God's protection over him.

David's Flight and Saul's Pursuit

Realizing the severity of Saul's intentions, David fled from Saul's presence. Jonathan, Saul's son and David's close friend, played a crucial role in warning David of his father's plans (1 Samuel 20:1-42). Their covenant of friendship and loyalty is one of the most poignant narratives in the Scriptures, highlighting the deep bond between the two men despite Saul's animosity.

David's flight led him to Nob, where he received assistance from Ahimelech the priest, and then to Gath, where he feigned madness to escape the Philistines (1 Samuel 21:1-15). He eventually gathered a group of loyal followers and took refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1-2).

Saul's relentless pursuit of David is marked by several key episodes. At one point, Saul entered a cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and his men were hiding deeper inside. David's men urged him to kill Saul, but David refused, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6). Instead, David secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe, later revealing it to Saul as proof of his loyalty and restraint (1 Samuel 24:4-11).

Divine Protection and David's Integrity

Throughout this period, David's actions consistently reflected his respect for God's anointed king and his reliance on divine protection. Despite having opportunities to kill Saul, David chose to trust in God's timing and justice. This is further exemplified in the incident at the Desert of Ziph, where David again spared Saul's life after infiltrating his camp and taking his spear and water jug (1 Samuel 26:7-12).

David's integrity and faith in God's sovereignty are central themes in these narratives. His refusal to harm Saul, despite the threat to his own life, underscores his commitment to God's will and his belief that God would fulfill His promise to make him king in His own time.

Saul's Continued Pursuit and David's Exile

Saul's pursuit of David continued, driving David to seek refuge among the Philistines, Israel's enemies. He found asylum with Achish, the king of Gath, and lived in Ziklag for a year and four months (1 Samuel 27:1-7). During this time, David conducted raids against Israel's enemies while maintaining the guise of loyalty to Achish.

The period of Saul's attempts to kill David is a testament to David's unwavering faith and God's providential care. Despite the trials and threats he faced, David's reliance on God and his adherence to righteousness set the stage for his eventual ascension to the throne of Israel, fulfilling God's promise to him.

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1 Samuel 19:9-24
And the evil spirit from the LORD was on Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.
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Library

The Exile.
... with a louder acclaim for David's victories, startled the king for the ... "All Israel
and Judah ... caprice of Saul's, however, leads him to insult David by breaking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... 17.) God hindered Balaam from cursing the children of Israel, and caused ... says, "Judas
begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;" and "David the king begat Solomon ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

Of Civil Government.
... When Samuel declared to the people of Israel what they would suffer from their kings,
he said, "This will be the ... Thus David, when already king elect by ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Appendices
... cir.1225 Saul elected King of Israel cir.1020 Accession of David cir.1000 ... of Israel. ...
they should commit further crime against him, then shall the king of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... Concerning the works of men [said David] by the ... be kindled against you, and destroy
thee suddenly' (Deuteronomy 7:5). 'Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

A Discourse
... to save, a prophet to teach, and a king to rule ... But this Antichrist cannot bear,
therefore he attempts to get up ... being a nation, that the name of Israel may be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... of a conquering Messiah, a Son of David, who should ... must mean the era of the restoration
of Israel. ... ea (colonia), a domino qui faciunt (the king's party, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... at length in the duel between David and Goliath ... disaster they had formerly inflicted
on Israel, is supposed ... period when the Jews, without any king or settled ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... converts said to have been made whem David avenged the ... and the parting of Israel's
Messiah from Israel and its ... are put in the mouth of King Jehoshaphat when ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... David brought trouble (2 Samuel 12:10 ... them to their place: and the house of Israel
shall possess ... that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm